The King of Instruments

The name of French composer Charles-Marie Widor is one of the most well-known in organ music. His 10 grand organ symphonies complimented very nicely the organs and architecture of the great churches of Paris. With all of that output, however, most people only know a few of Widor’s works, or even just one in particular. Today, we’re going to explore some of Widor’s other organ works that we don’t g...

We’re taking the opportunity of a couple of noteworthy birthdays this week to look back at some early American composers and organists. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2017/03/05/. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/org...

The organist's’ repertoire is vast and varied, spanning different countries, regions, and centuries, and composers are writing even more today. But even with that vast repertoire from which to choose, organists often still stray outside of their own world into the repertoire of the orchestra. Find complete information at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2017/02/26/. The King of Instruments is a...

The French composer Jean Langlais was born 110 years ago this month, Niels Gade was born 210 years ago this week in Denmark, and Edward Elgar died 83 years ago this week. Today we're going to spend the hour remembering those three composers. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2017/02/19/. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Fou...

Morningstar Music has been producing music for churches since 1986. From the beginning it has published non-denominational works with a focus on liturgical traditions. Today, we’re going to listen to works published right here in St. Louis by Morningstar Music. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2017/02/12/. The King of Instruments is a production of...

The British organ building firm of Henry Willis & Sons is one of the oldest active in the world today. Originally founded by Henry Willis in 1845, they have been in continuous operation with more than 2,500 organs to their credit. Today we’re going to hear six of the firm’s instruments including some of their most famous installations. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.ki...

In this episode we have aural biography of one of Canada’s great organ builders - Joseph Casavant. Find complete information about everything in this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2017/01/22 The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-media-foundation/...

This inauguration week we celebrate all that is American with American composers and organs. Find complete information about everything in this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2017/01/15/. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-media-foundation/id16...

This week we’re celebrating the arrival of the new year with an hour of popular and theatre organ music. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2017/01/01 The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-media-foundation/id166304...

It's Christmas Day, so we have an hour of music for the season. Find complete information about everything in this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/12/25/. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-media-foundation/id1663040569 Android:https://play...

In this episode we observe the fourth Sunday of Advent and prepare for the arrival of Christmas. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/12/18/. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-media-foundation/id1663040569 A...

It's the Third Sunday of Advent so we're celebrating with music appropriate for the season, and we celebrate the birthday of Belgian composer Joseph Jongen. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/12/11/. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://a...

We have music for the second Sunday of Advent, as well as some music of César Franck in celebration of his birthday this week. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/12/04 The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-med...

We start the season of Advent off with music appropriate for the season, and one work for Organ and Orchestra by Théodorew Dubois. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-media-foundation/id1663040569 Android:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.organ...

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving with music for the season. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/11/20/. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-media-foundation/id1663040569 Android:https://play.google.com/sto...

This week we're celebrating the birthdays of two very different composers, Paul Hindemith and Louis James Alfred Lefébure-Wely. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/11/13/. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-...

This week we go to Norway for music by composers from that country as well as the organs of Norway. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/11/06/. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-media-foundation/id166304056...

In this episode we explore new album releases of classical organ music. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-media-foundation/id1663040569 Android:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.organ.media.organlive4https://play.google.com/store/apps/details...

Today on the occasion of these composers' birthdays, we’re going to explore organ music composed by Franz Liszt and Howard Hanson. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/10/23. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-liv...

For more than 40 years, Thomas Murray, from Yale University, has been delighting audiences with his performances and his many recordings, as well as instructing many of the leading performers of a younger generation. Today we’re going to preview an upcoming performance by Thomas Murray with some of his recordings and works he’ll be playing on the recital. Find complete information about this episo...

This week we focus on the music of 19th century French organist and composer, Camille Saint-Saëns. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/10/09 The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-media-foundation/id1663040569 A...

Autumn has arrived. The weather is changing, the days are shorter, and leaves are already starting to change color and drop. Today our show takes on a tour of autumn colors as we explore music composed for the organ specifically for this time of year. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/10/02. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ...

We celebrate the birthdays of Leon Boellmann, Charles Villiers Stanford and George Gershwin in this episode. Find complete information at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/09/25. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-media-foundation/id1663040569 Android:h...

English composer Gustav Holst was born 142 years ago this week. To celebrate, we’re playing an organ transcription of his most popular work, The Planets. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/09/18 The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.a...

We spend the hour listening to music performed on landmark organs designed and built by Ernest M. Skinner. Find complete information about this episode at https://www.kingofinstruments.show/2016/09/11. The King of Instruments is a production of the Organ Media Foundation https://organ.media Access all our content on our mobile apps: iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/organ-live-media-foundation/id166...